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food industry

Industries

Food & Beverage Industry

Our food and beverage group is a multidisciplinary team of lawyers who work with brands and manufacturers focused on products such as natural foods, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), wholesale and retail foods, organic and natural products, additives, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements, as well as restaurants, grocery stores, agricultural producers and packaged goods manufacturers.

We are well versed in the unique issues affecting companies in these industries and focused on finding the best solutions that align to business needs. Our primary focus is providing practical advice to help clients reach their commercial and operational goals while complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

Some of our clients include:

  • Dairy products manufacturer and importer
  • Dumpling manufacturer
  • Tea retailer
  • Artisan mezcal distiller
  • Condiment company
  • Egg farm
  • Multinational food supplement company
  • Sustainable food company
  • Indoor/vertical farming company
  • Cheese importer
  • Food flavoring manufacturer

Our team works with companies ranging from startups to mature operations. We advise on regulatory issues, financing, contracts, business disputes, marketing and advertising, governance, mergers and acquisitions, environmental issues, intellectual property, trade and human rights issues.

We have extensive experience in the following areas:

  • Government regulations:
    We advise food industry clients on regulations issued by agencies including the FDA, USDA and EPA that govern the production, distribution and promotion of human and animal food products, including food ingredients, food additives, food contact substances and dietary supplements.
  • Greenwashing defense and litigation:
    We help companies develop practical, proactive strategies to limit exposure to greenwashing claims related to food and agricultural products and reduce the likelihood of costly and disruptive claims.
  • Class action defense:
    We have served as defense counsel in one-off class actions as well as groups of class actions filed in multiple jurisdictions, including matters consolidated into multidistrict litigation in federal and state courts and numerous federal courts of appeals.
  • Product liability, advertising and labeling:
    We advise on issues ranging from government regulations and advertising laws to allegations of contaminated, adulterated or misbranded food products. We have defended food labeling and ingredient-related class actions and personal injury matters alleging foodborne illness.
  • Labeling, trademark and other intellectual property issues:
    We prepare, prosecute and enforce patents, trademarks, copyrights and related technology agreements for food companies, allowing them to leverage their technology in a competitive and innovative marketplace.
  • Human rights issues:
    We work with food and beverage companies, many of which rely on international supply chains, to evaluate and implement effective strategies and compliance mechanisms to address the specific risks related to potential human rights abuses and use of forced labor.
  • Commercial agreements:
    We advise on a broad range of commercial contracts, including production, distribution, co-packing and co-manufacturing agreements.